U.S. patent number 6,883,264 [Application Number 10/834,258] was granted by the patent office on 2005-04-26 for telescoping fishing harpoon.
Invention is credited to Bruce S. Gimbel.
United States Patent |
6,883,264 |
Gimbel |
April 26, 2005 |
Telescoping fishing harpoon
Abstract
The telescoping fishing harpoon is a harpoon that allows for a
variety of lengths to be utilized by a user. The harpoon includes a
telescoping body constructed from two hollow tubes that are
detachably engaged to each other through the use of a spring detent
and a series of corresponding holes. Attached to the telescoping
shaft is a standard harpoon shaft with a tapered head for receiving
a standard harpoon dart. The telescoping shaft also incorporates a
weighted dowel that assists the user in accurately spearing a
desired target. The harpoon further incorporates a series of hand
grips and line clips for increased control and safety for the
user.
Inventors: |
Gimbel; Bruce S. (Boca Rotan,
FL) |
Family
ID: |
34435969 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/834,258 |
Filed: |
April 29, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
43/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K
81/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01K
81/00 (20060101); A01K 81/04 (20060101); A01K
081/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;43/6 ;473/578
;294/126 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Luu; Teri Pham
Assistant Examiner: Hayes; Bret
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Litman; Richard C.
Claims
I claim:
1. A telescoping fishing harpoon, comprising: an outer tube having
a proximal first end and a distal second end, and having a hollow
interior and a groove formed in the interior extending from the
first end to the second end, the outer tube having a plurality of
spaced apertures defined therein offset radially from the groove;
an inner tube having a proximal first end and a distal second end,
the inner tube being telescopingly disposed within the outer tube;
a first detent pin resiliently extending from the inner tube and
selectively engaging one of the apertures defined in the outer tube
in order to selectively lock the inner and outer tubes at a
selected length; a second detent pin extending from the inner tube
and aligned with the groove in the outer tube in order slide
longitudinally along the groove, thereby maintaining the first
detent pin in radial alignment with the apertures defined in the
outer tube; a solid cylindrical dowel having a proximal first end
and distal second end, and having a cylindrical bore defined
therein extending axially into the dowel from the distal end of the
dowel, the dowel being fixed within the inner tube with the distal
end of said dowel being in planar alignment with the distal end of
said inner tube; a shaft having a proximal first end and a distal
second end, and having a tapered head at the distal end, the
proximal end of the shaft being removably inserted into the bore
defined in the dowel, the distal end of the shaft extending from
the inner tube; and a dart having a proximal first end and a distal
second end, dart being removably disposed on the tapered head of
the shaft.
2. The telescoping fishing harpoon according to claim 1, wherein
said outer tube further comprises a first hand grip mounted to the
proximal end of said outer tube.
3. The telescoping fishing harpoon according to claim 2, wherein
said outer tube further comprises a second hand grip mounted to
said outer tube between the proximal and distal ends thereof.
4. The telescoping fishing harpoon according to claim 3, wherein
said outer tube further comprises a third hand grip member mounted
adjacent the distal thereof.
5. The telescoping fishing harpoon according to claim 1, further
comprising a plurality of clips permanently affixed to said outer
tube and said inner tube in an axially alignment, the clips being
adapted for securing a fishing line thereto.
6. The telescoping fishing harpoon according to claim 1, wherein
said dart has an aperture defined therein adapted for securing a
fishing line to said dart.
7. The telescoping fishing harpoon according to claim 1, wherein
the cylindrical bore defined in said dowel is internally
threaded.
8. The telescoping fishing harpoon according to claim 1, wherein
the proximal end of said shaft is externally threaded.
9. The telescoping fishing harpoon according to claim 1, further
comprising: a first hand grip disposed on the proximal end of said
outer tube, the first grip having an end wall and a centrally
located aperture defined in the end wall; and a resilient loop
secured to the proximal end of said outer tube and extending
through the aperture defined in the end wall of said first hand
grip for retention to a safety rope.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to fishing equipment, and more
specifically, to a fishing harpoon with a telescoping frame that
allows the harpoon to be locked into a plurality of alternate
positions of varying lengths.
2. Description of the Related Art
Fishermen, both amateur and professional, commonly use a wide
variety of spears and harpoons for catching fish. The fishermen
require a harpoon that can be accurately propelled into the water
to catch a fish or, alternatively, can be used to stab and retrieve
a fish that has already been caught and is located in the water
along side of the boat. It is also desirable that such a harpoon be
capable of easily being converted to a variety of different lengths
for better user control.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,932,953, issued Jan. 20, 1976 to Sharp, describes a
fishing spear with an extensible shaft. The spear is particularly
useful as an underwater hand spear for spear fishing. The spear is
equipped with a telescopically extensible and collapsible shaft,
including a cylindrical extension member that is located in a
tubular main part and capable of being locked in a variety of
extended positions. U.S. Pat. No. 4,004,539, issued Jan. 25, 1977
to Wesson, describes a marine implement that is provided with a
series of attachments that can be engaged with a coupling device,
preferably a threaded coupling means, located on the prod end. The
implement also has a handle section containing telescoping sections
and locking means for securing it in at least two different
lengths.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,150,460, issued Sep. 29, 1964 to Dees, describes a
fishing device for supporting a fishing implement, such as a boat
hook, with a telescoping handle. The handle section is comprised of
two tubular parts that telescope and can be locked into place at a
variety of lengths by a series of threaded screws. U.S. Pat. No.
4,209,929 issued Jul. 1, 1980 to Mishima, describes a lance for
spear fishing that is composed of a hollow tubular shaft. A
resilient band is attached to the lance for carrying of the spear
and propelling it through the water. The lance also has a centrally
located handle grip for easy grasping of the tubing when carrying
or propelling the lance.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,646, issued Dec. 27, 1988 to Michaud, Jr.,
describes an adjustable interlocking telescopic handle and arm
assembly. The assembly includes at least two elongated tube members
that are telescopically engaged and locked at a variety of lengths
through a series of locking pins. The handle assembly further
incorporates a pair of rubberized grip members mounted to the tubes
for easier handling. U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,672, issued Apr. 10, 2001
to Varga, describes a telescoping pole and cleaning tool. The pole
is configured from an inner tube that telescopes within an outer
tube and can be locked into a variety of different lengths through
the use of a series of resilient detent members on the inner tube
that align with a series of holes on the outer tube. The pole is
designed to attach to a cleaning attachment through the use of a
similar detent pin or a threaded connection. The pole is also
equipped with handle grips for easier use.
Other patents showing fishing implements include U.S. Pat. No.
4,052,808, issued Oct. 11, 1977 to Crabtree (collapsible fishing
spear); U.S. Pat. No. 4,429,480, issued Feb. 7, 1984 to Stude
(diving spear); U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,933, issued Jan. 26, 1988 to
Stude (diving spear); U.S. Pat. No. 5,243,778, issued Sep. 14, 1993
to Henley (fishing spear); U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,178, issued Apr. 22,
2003 to Rogers; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,678,989, issued Jan. 20, 2004
to Lowe.
Other patents showing telescoping poles and handles include U.S.
Pat. No. 2,606,050, issued Aug. 5, 1952 to Morris et al.
(telescoping handle); U.S. Pat. No. 2,980,456, issued Apr. 18, 1961
to McMullin; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,239, issued Jan. 14, 1997 to
Sallee.
Although the related art addresses telescoping fishing implements
and other tools, there is a need for a fishing harpoon that
incorporates a traditional fishing shaft and detachable fishing
dart with a sturdy and reliable telescoping body. In addition, the
harpoon should capable of both spearing a fish while still in hand
and being accurately thrown toward a target in the water.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in
combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.
Thus, a telescoping fishing harpoon solving the aforementioned
problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The telescoping fishing harpoon of the present invention allows the
user great flexibility in many different fishing environments. The
harpoon has a telescoping body comprised of two hollow tubes and
that allows the user to lock the telescoping tubes into place at a
variety of different lengths. The body is locked into place with a
detent mechanism located on the inner tube that fits through one of
a series of locking holes on the outer tube. The different lengths
allow the harpoon to be useful with many differently sized fishing
vessels.
The outer tube also incorporates a series of rubberized grip
handles that allow the user greater control when stabbing a fish
located boat side or when propelling the harpoon into the water.
The end of the harpoon further contains an attached rope loop for
tying the entire harpoon off to a safety rope.
The harpoon utilizes a standard harpoon shaft that is connected to
the telescoping body through the use of a weighted dowel that is
permanently affixed to the inside of the inner tube. The weighted
dowel allows the harpoon to maintain maximum force and accuracy
when it is propelled out of the user's hand and into the water
toward a target. The standard harpoon shaft has an externally
threaded end portion that screws into an internally threaded bore
in the weighted dowel. In this manner, the shaft is easily replaced
if it is damaged or lost.
The harpoon further utilizes a standard fishing harpoon dart that
sits on a tapered end of the shaft and is detachable therefrom. The
dart has a hole bored through it that allows the user to attach a
fishing rope or line to it so that it does not become lost. The
fishing line can further be threaded through a series of clips that
are welded or bonded to the exterior surface of the inner and outer
tubes.
These and other features of the present invention will become
readily apparent upon further review of the following specification
and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TEE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a telescoping fishing harpoon
according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of a telescoping fishing
harpoon according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a partial, perspective view showing features of the
preferred embodiment of the outer telescoping tube.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged section view showing the inner tube and outer
tube locked together by the detent engagement structure according
to the present invention.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention is a telescoping fishing harpoon, designated
generally as 10 in the drawings.
Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the telescoping fishing
harpoon 10 is made up of an outer tube 30, an inner tube 40, a
standard harpoon shaft 50, and a standard harpoon dart 60. In the
preferred embodiment, the telescoping fishing harpoon 10 has three
hand grips, including first hand grip 11 having rope loop 16
extending therethrough, second hand grip 12, and third hand grip
14. First grip 11 and second grip 12 are useful when spearing a
fish along side of the boat, while third hand grip 14 is useful for
gripping the harpoon in a balanced position when throwing the
harpoon 10 when the telescoping tubes 30 and 40 are locked at
maximum extension. Rope loop 16 is secured to outer tube 30 near
its proximal end 34 through the use of a pin extending transversely
across the interior of the tube 30, or other similar securing
means, and passes through an aperture in an end wall of first hand
grip 11 to its exposed position. The telescoping fishing harpoon 10
preferably includes a series of axially aligned clips 22 that are
permanently affixed to the exterior surface of outer and inner
tubes 30 and 40 for securing a fishing line thereto.
Turning now to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the fishing harpoon 10 is
equipped with inner tube 40, having proximal end 46 and distal end
48, having an outside diameter slightly smaller than the inside
diameter of outer tube 30 in order to fit in a telescoping
relationship with outer tube 30, having proximal end 34 and distal
end 36. As shown if FIG. 2, both tubes 40 and 30 have a cylindrical
outer surface and a hollow interior, except as later described. The
outer tube 30 is further provided with a plurality of apertures 20,
each aperture 20 being dimensioned to receive the spring detent pin
26 extending from inner tube 40, thus locking the tubes 30 and 40
in place and preventing rotation of the inner tube 40 relative to
the outer tube 30. FIG. 3 shows an enlarged and detailed view of
the elongated groove 32 formed in the interior of outer tube 30.
Groove 32 in outer tube 30 is located 180.degree. diametrically
opposite from apertures 20 and travels throughout the length of
outer tube 30. Groove 32 in outer tube 40 provides an alignment
guide and path for receiving spring detent 24 on inner tube 40 when
proximal end 46 of inner tube 40 is inserted into distal end 36 of
outer tube 40.
Referring back to FIG. 2, weighted dowel 42 is permanently welded
or bonded into place inside distal end 48 of inner tube 40.
Weighted dowel 42 contains an internally threaded bore 44 that is
aligned with distal end 48 of inner tube 40 when the dowel is
secured inside inner tube 40 and extends into weighted dowel 42,
e.g., for a length of about two and one-half inches. Proximal end
56 of standard harpoon shaft 50 is threaded into weighted dowel 42
by use of external threads 52. The opposite end of standard shaft
50 has a tapered head 54 for receiving standard harpoon dart 60.
Standard harpoon dart 60 has bore 62 for receiving tapered head 54
of standard shaft 50. Standard dart 60 further comprises an
aperture 64 for securing a fishing line therethrough. In addition
to providing for mounting of shaft 50, dowel 40 is weighted to
stabilize the harpoon 10, particularly when throwing the harpoon
10.
Turning to FIG. 4 of the drawings, a compression spring 28 and
flexible U-shaped member 27 disposed within inner tube 40 apply a
biasing action urging the detent pin 26 to the projected position
so that pin 26 can extend through one of the apertures 20 in outer
tube 30 when aligned therewith in order to lock the tubes 30 and 40
at a fixed length. A similar U-shaped member 27 and compression
spring 28 bias detent pin 24 in the opposite direction in engage
groove 32 in the outer tube 30, so that pin 26 is properly aligned
radially with the apertures 20 in outer tube 30. Preferably outer
tube 30 has about five apertures spaced apart along the length of
the tube, so that the harpoon 10 can be adjusted to one of five
different lengths.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to
the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all
embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *